Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Service Watch By Zentra

This is a Kriegsmarine Zentra service watch. Zentra was founded in 1924 Willi König and Willibald Felsing, and although the company failed in the 1980’s due to the increased popularity of battery-powered quartz watches, the company was brought back in 2001. The case of this watch is manufactured in stainless steel, with a nickel-plated crown. The lugs of this watch are that of the solid type, and are drilled, although with non-removable lug bars. The screw-bottom case-back is crafted in matching stainless steel watch, and is stamped “536550”. The face of the watch is silver, with printed black arabic numerals from 1 to 12, with golden hands and an additional 60 second dial with a black hand, at the 6 o’clock position. The hands were once luminous (coated with radion) to be visible in the dark, but have long faded. Each minute position is marked on the dial in 5 minute intervals, with 5 ticks in between to count the minutes. The smaller dial is marked every 15 seconds, with small ticks every 4 seconds, with a slightly larger tick every 5 seconds. The face is otherwise marked “KM (Kriegsmarine) Zentra” in black lettering. The face is covered by a period original domed acrylic. The watch case measures 31 mm in diameter without the crown, and 33.54 mm with the crown. It is windable, fully functional, and accompanied with a modern braided strap. In overall very fine condition.

Footnote: The watch currently winds as it should, and runs undisrupted, however, it is not tested for accuracy. In addition, as the service history of this antique timepiece is unknown, it is recommended that the watch is serviced prior to being used.